Formula One supremo Bernie Ecclestone indicted in bribery case

Briton under investigation since a German banker was convicted of taking an illegal payment from him worth Dh161.6m.

Bernie Ecclestone believes he has done nothing illegal.

LONDON // Bernie Ecclestone, the Formula One boss, says he has been indicted by German prosecutors for alleged bribery.

Ecclestone has been under investigation since a German banker was convicted of taking an illegal payment from him worth US$44 million (Dh161.6m) in connection with the sale of a stake in F1.

The Briton told the Munich state court he felt pressured into paying the cash in 2006 because he was worried that Gerhard Gribkowsky would report him to British tax authorities.

Ecclestone tells The Associated Press that his lawyers "have accepted an indictment. It means they have to reply to the indictment which they are strenuously doing".

He confirms that the prosecutors are "alleging I bribed someone" but says he did "nothing illegal".

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